And yes Jersey, I know it was just a dig at Whalers fans. But look at it like this. How many other cities of teams that have come and gone can say that they still have a fanbase, be it for nostalgic reasons or whatever? Some but not a lot.

I'd root for the Whalers. I spent a lot of time after they left being bitter towards the NHL, but I like hockey, and I like having something to root for. The difference with the Whalers is I'd be rooting for my own team from where I live. Now that's just me and I can't speak for anyone else, but it's safe to say that others have possibly moved on, be it rooting for other teams , being a casual fan, not caring for the NHL at all, or whatever else is in between. Now you say that twenty years is not enough time for Whalers fans to have moved on. Some may have kids now or grandkids, a whole new generation of fans in the waiting. With that I agree. A rebirth of the Whalers would absolutely make them the most popular team in Connecticut by a mile, but as much as I believe they are popular right now that popularity is based mostly on nostalgia.

Very true. Most people have moved on and become fans of other teams, but if asked many would probably still pick the Whalers as a second team based purely on nostalgia. The popularity for the Whaler brand is still there based on their merchandise sales. But as I've said before, people have moved onto other teams, but I'd be more than willing to bet if the Whalers were to suddenly return they would have a huge fanbase in the state and possible some places out of state.

This isn't all that shocking, what with how dense the population is in the south western part of the state. But I'm more shocked by the fact that the Kings are the most popular team in Idaho. Did not see that one coming. But the title of this thread begs the question, and it seems obvious it was, but was this just a list for current NHL teams?

This isn't all that shocking, what with how dense the population is in the south western part of the state. But I'm more shocked by the fact that the Kings are the most popular team in Idaho. Did not see that one coming.

It seems doubt**l that Hartford would have ever had a AAA team at all. AA seems to be the highest we'll ever get around here in terms of baseball, and that's still not bad. Besides, doesn't AAA have some rule about how one team can be to another, or something like that? Though I may be wrong.